Aaron Smith out 3 months

[sd steel]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Man this hurts........Steelers just lost heart and soul of the defense.

Time for Ziggy show...

Here's the latest Tomlinism, at today's PC Tomlin said this about Hood: "He's not out of the oven yet." Which I guess means Ziggy isn't ready to start. Look for Eason and Kirschke to get the majority of the snaps.

Seems absolutely retarded that our D line coach said Hood is one of the best he has seen come in as a rookie in 16 years and Aaron Smith is heaping praises all over the dude saying he is extremely smart and a great talent, and he can't start at 3-4 DE mid season after all the mini camps, a full training camp, preseason, and heading into the 6th game.

Hood should absolutely, 100% hands down be the starter with whoever giving him breathers when he needs them.

I think it's sort of funny that you would think a kid, (albeit a first round pick), who has not been with the organization for even a year, should be able to come in and replace a 10 year vet who is the best 3-4 defensive end in the league. Those shoes are too big. He will get the snaps, but we have other guys who are more experienced and who have shown they know their roles. Tomlin said Iggy Eason and Kirshke will all get time, which is good. If Iggy shows that he can dominate I'm sure he will get a majority of the snaps, but to say he should be annoited the starter sounds a little retarded IMO.

[Shoe]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

You've never played, have you?

You don't need to have played to know it... relatively, I don't think he's incorrect. (RB being the "easiest" to transition.)

That being said, D-line does usually require a transition period because physically, you are dealing with grown-a$s men--in the trenches. It's not some skinny-ish freshman or a 22-year old... you got grown-a$s, no-nonsense, get-the-F-out-of-my-way men playing.

Most often, a guy from college is too light in the britches by comparison, mainly cuz he is just a kid against... wait for it... grown-a$s men.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Man this hurts........Steelers just lost heart and soul of the defense.

Time for Ziggy show...

Here's the latest Tomlinism, at today's PC Tomlin said this about Hood: "He's not out of the oven yet." Which I guess means Ziggy isn't ready to start. Look for Eason and Kirschke to get the majority of the snaps.

Seems absolutely retarded that our D line coach said Hood is one of the best he has seen come in as a rookie in 16 years and Aaron Smith is heaping praises all over the dude saying he is extremely smart and a great talent, and he can't start at 3-4 DE mid season after all the mini camps, a full training camp, preseason, and heading into the 6th game.

Hood should absolutely, 100% hands down be the starter with whoever giving him breathers when he needs them.

if he's 100% supposed to be the starter half way through the season, wouldn't that mean they woulda had to bench smith?

now that smith is hurt he should be the starter, but all three should get a ton of snaps...

Smith is a pro bowler. I am saying he should be capable to step in as the starter now that Smith went down. I am saying that Travis Kirschke or Nick Eason should not be as good as Hood requiring him to give them equal snaps.

This isn't MLB where first round picks take 3 years to sniff the field on the big league team.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

I was intrigued by Everette Pendescleaux prior to the draft. But when they spent a draft pick on Harris and did not sign Pendescleaux as an UDFA, I figured that the front office knows more about these players than I do (duh...). I didn't even realize he was with the Broncos. He does have the proper build for the job, and is surprisingly athletic from most reports I have heard, but it may take a while for him to adjust to the NFL game coming from such a small school.

I remember Everette choose the Broncos because of the opportunity on the DL. I not even sure if the Steelers contacted him about signing after the draft. I also wish Harris had another year of starting experience under his belt at Oregon. I think that might have kept him on the 53 rather than the Steelers trying to hide him on the PS & the Panthers stealing him. Everette would be my 2nd option if they went for a young guy. Harris makes more sense because he should have some of the playbook down. Whomever comes in here most likely will be inactive with Eason active if he is a young guy.

[fezziwig]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Given Smiths age and the injury, this might be it for him. I tore my cuff before, surgey and never been the same.

I hope it is different for Smith. I do like the bright side of things as Ruthlesburger said, " allows him to spend time with his son that has health issues."

[MaxAMillion]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

More evidence that the Steeler defense has a lot of players with a lot of miles on the tires. Next year's draft should have a heavy focus on defensive players.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

You've never played, have you?

You don't need to have played to know it... relatively, I don't think he's incorrect. (RB being the "easiest" to transition.)

That being said, D-line does usually require a transition period because physically, you are dealing with grown-a$s men--in the trenches. It's not some skinny-ish freshman or a 22-year old... you got grown-a$s, no-nonsense, get-the-F-out-of-my-way men playing.

Most often, a guy from college is too light in the britches by comparison, mainly cuz he is just a kid against... wait for it... grown-a$s men.

There are more gap responsibilities to learn for a 3-4 DE, as opposed to a 4-3 DE, where you can just pin your ears back and rush the passer much of the time. In that case, you can rely on your natural abilities to a certain extent. But in our scheme, if you are not gap sound, that creates gaping holes in the defense. He has to understand fully what his job is each play before he can make a difference out there. I'm not saying he can't, but I think at first, we will see more of Kirschke or Eason on 1st and 2nd down, and more of Ziggy on 3rd down where he can play pass rushing DT role in a 4 man front in the nickel and dime defenses.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

I was intrigued by Everette Pendescleaux prior to the draft. But when they spent a draft pick on Harris and did not sign Pendescleaux as an UDFA, I figured that the front office knows more about these players than I do (duh...). I didn't even realize he was with the Broncos. He does have the proper build for the job, and is surprisingly athletic from most reports I have heard, but it may take a while for him to adjust to the NFL game coming from such a small school.

I remember Everette choose the Broncos because of the opportunity on the DL. I not even sure if the Steelers contacted him about signing after the draft. I also wish Harris had another year of starting experience under his belt at Oregon. I think that might have kept him on the 53 rather than the Steelers trying to hide him on the PS & the Panthers stealing him. Everette would be my 2nd option if they went for a young guy. Harris makes more sense because he should have some of the playbook down. Whomever comes in here most likely will be inactive with Eason active if he is a young guy.

It's official that Sonny Harris is a Steeler once again. I agree that Casey, Hoke, Keisel, Kirschke, Eason, and Hood will be the 6 active linemen on gameday, while Harris will likely be inactive most of the time (unless Kirschke's back acts up again). Sonny will stay on our 53 man roster for the rest of the season, but he most likely will not be among the 45 guys dressing unless someone else gets injured.

[stlrz d]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

You've never played, have you?

You don't need to have played to know it... relatively, I don't think he's incorrect. (RB being the "easiest" to transition.)

That being said, D-line does usually require a transition period because physically, you are dealing with grown-a$s men--in the trenches. It's not some skinny-ish freshman or a 22-year old... you got grown-a$s, no-nonsense, get-the-F-out-of-my-way men playing.

Most often, a guy from college is too light in the britches by comparison, mainly cuz he is just a kid against... wait for it... grown-a$s men.

There are more gap responsibilities to learn for a 3-4 DE, as opposed to a 4-3 DE, where you can just pin your ears back and rush the passer much of the time. In that case, you can rely on your natural abilities to a certain extent. But in our scheme, if you are not gap sound, that creates gaping holes in the defense. He has to understand fully what his job is each play before he can make a difference out there. I'm not saying he can't, but I think at first, we will see more of Kirschke or Eason on 1st and 2nd down, and more of Ziggy on 3rd down where he can play pass rushing DT role in a 4 man front in the nickel and dime defenses.

It's my day off, so I stayed up late and slept in...so you beat me to it!

He has to be able to understand the entire scheme.... There are subtleties as well that come with time. Understanding where the blitz is coming from so he can help create more space by shading a certain way, etc.

It's a lot more complicated than the poster I was addressing made it seem.

[ikestops85]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

[quote=stlrz d]

You've never played, have you?

You don't need to have played to know it... relatively, I don't think he's incorrect. (RB being the "easiest" to transition.)

That being said, D-line does usually require a transition period because physically, you are dealing with grown-a$s men--in the trenches. It's not some skinny-ish freshman or a 22-year old... you got grown-a$s, no-nonsense, get-the-F-out-of-my-way men playing.

Most often, a guy from college is too light in the britches by comparison, mainly cuz he is just a kid against... wait for it... grown-a$s men.

There are more gap responsibilities to learn for a 3-4 DE, as opposed to a 4-3 DE, where you can just pin your ears back and rush the passer much of the time. In that case, you can rely on your natural abilities to a certain extent. But in our scheme, if you are not gap sound, that creates gaping holes in the defense. He has to understand fully what his job is each play before he can make a difference out there. I'm not saying he can't, but I think at first, we will see more of Kirschke or Eason on 1st and 2nd down, and more of Ziggy on 3rd down where he can play pass rushing DT role in a 4 man front in the nickel and dime defenses.

It's my day off, so I stayed up late and slept in...so you beat me to it!

He has to be able to understand the entire scheme.... There are subtleties as well that come with time. Understanding where the blitz is coming from so he can help create more space by shading a certain way, etc.

It's a lot more complicated than the poster I was addressing made it seem.[/quote:2zu2jf05]


Boy you aren't kidding. Being a DE in a 3-4 system is not as simplistic as that poster made it sound. When Smith was out the last time we were constantly getting burned by the cutback which AS is a master at shutting down. We are probably better equipped to handle his loss this time than we were the last time but it will still hurt. Like Tomlin says, when someone goes down somebody else has to stand up and make plays.

[Mel Blount's G]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Woodely's season, which wasn't exactly burning up the stat sheets, just got a whole lot tougher with Mr. Aaron Smith gone.

An entire domino effect here: Our master o-lineman-plugger is out. During passing plays, he's the guy who makes it possible for our athletic lb's to fly at the qb from/through a variety of schemes and angles. With him out, our pass rushing pressure drops off. As our pass rushing pressure drops off we either (a): have to send more guys after the qb or (b): require our db's to stay with their wr's longer so our pressure can get to the qb. Or (c) both. I think we all know what he meant to our run defense as well.

Earlier in the year I read one or another of our coaches giving praise to, and feeling confident with, our dline backups, eason and kirchke. I hope that was legit

[stlrz d]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

Woodely's season, which wasn't exactly burning up the stat sheets, just got a whole lot tougher with Mr. Aaron Smith gone.

An entire domino effect here: Our master o-lineman-plugger is out. During passing plays, he's the guy who makes it possible for our athletic lb's to fly at the qb from/through a variety of schemes and angles. With him out, our pass rushing pressure drops off. As our pass rushing pressure drops off we either (a): have to send more guys after the qb or (b): require our db's to stay with their wr's longer so our pressure can get to the qb. Or (c) both. I think we all know what he meant to our run defense as well.

Earlier in the year I read one or another of our coaches giving praise to, and feeling confident with, our dline backups, eason and kirchke. I hope that was legit

Actually on a lot of passing downs this season the Steelers have been playing this odd arrangement of only 2 down linemen (I've seen it a lot with Keisel and Kirschke) and an extra DB. It's the formation they've been blitzing Gay out of.

[Mel Blount's G]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

[quote=stlrz d]

Woodely's season, which wasn't exactly burning up the stat sheets, just got a whole lot tougher with Mr. Aaron Smith gone.

An entire domino effect here: Our master o-lineman-plugger is out. During passing plays, he's the guy who makes it possible for our athletic lb's to fly at the qb from/through a variety of schemes and angles. With him out, our pass rushing pressure drops off. As our pass rushing pressure drops off we either (a): have to send more guys after the qb or (b): require our db's to stay with their wr's longer so our pressure can get to the qb. Or (c) both. I think we all know what he meant to our run defense as well.

Earlier in the year I read one or another of our coaches giving praise to, and feeling confident with, our dline backups, eason and kirschke. I hope that was legit

Actually on a lot of passing downs this season the Steelers have been playing this odd arrangement of only 2 down linemen (I've seen it a lot with Keisel and Kirschke) and an extra DB. It's the formation they've been blitzing Gay out of.[/quote:15648a5j]
True. I've noticed that at times too. But from what I've seen B-Dub LeBeau might wanna go back to the drawing board on that. Wonder if that was a way of compensating for Troy's absence (having the extra db)?

Maybe Eason/kirschke are better than we all know? After all, a steeler defensive backup is often starting material on another team. And even if he doesn't start, Zhood's gonna get some extremely valuable game time reps I would guess that should accel his development as a steeler d lineman. And where abouts is Orpheyus Roye these days (sorry if this was prevously discussed)?

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

[quote=stlrz d]

This sucks! Our run defense got absolutely shredded back in '07 when Smith was lost for the season. Here's hoping someone in the backup DE rotation steps up.

I remember that very well and how they ran up the yards on Smiths side while he was away.

Tomlin said I believe, "Ziggy isn't ready to claim Smith position as a starter. " I'm sure they'll have the position in rotation. They'll also probably decide after two or three games, what player will be the full time starter.

I would like to see Hoke get a shot at that position. I don't think they alowed him that chance in 2007.

Hoke is Casey's back up. When is the last time you saw Casey in good enough shape to take every defensive snap?

Man this hurts........Steelers just lost heart and soul of the defense.

Time for Ziggy show...

Here's the latest Tomlinism, at today's PC Tomlin said this about Hood: "He's not out of the oven yet." Which I guess means Ziggy isn't ready to start. Look for Eason and Kirschke to get the majority of the snaps.

Seems absolutely retarded that our D line coach said Hood is one of the best he has seen come in as a rookie in 16 years and Aaron Smith is heaping praises all over the dude saying he is extremely smart and a great talent, and he can't start at 3-4 DE mid season after all the mini camps, a full training camp, preseason, and heading into the 6th game.

Hood should absolutely, 100% hands down be the starter with whoever giving him breathers when he needs them.

I totally agree! I think you should be able to expect a little more out of first round draft pick other than a redshirt. At the risk of sounding "ignorant" here....I understand that football can be complex, complicated, etc. But for a d-lineman, how long does it take to learn that you need to somehow beat the man in front of you, track the football, tackle, go after the qb, or jump up and try to bat the ball down, etc......

You've never played, have you?[/quote:zi98h10m]

Not sure if you were talking to me, but I have.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Aaron Smith out 3 months

[quote=Mel Blount's G][quote="stlrz d":1507bj9s]

Woodely's season, which wasn't exactly burning up the stat sheets, just got a whole lot tougher with Mr. Aaron Smith gone.

An entire domino effect here: Our master o-lineman-plugger is out. During passing plays, he's the guy who makes it possible for our athletic lb's to fly at the qb from/through a variety of schemes and angles. With him out, our pass rushing pressure drops off. As our pass rushing pressure drops off we either (a): have to send more guys after the qb or (b): require our db's to stay with their wr's longer so our pressure can get to the qb. Or (c) both. I think we all know what he meant to our run defense as well.

Earlier in the year I read one or another of our coaches giving praise to, and feeling confident with, our dline backups, eason and kirschke. I hope that was legit

Actually on a lot of passing downs this season the Steelers have been playing this odd arrangement of only 2 down linemen (I've seen it a lot with Keisel and Kirschke) and an extra DB. It's the formation they've been blitzing Gay out of.[/quote:1507bj9s]
True. I've noticed that at times too. But from what I've seen B-Dub LeBeau might wanna go back to the drawing board on that. Wonder if that was a way of compensating for Troy's absence (having the extra db)?

Maybe Eason/kirschke are better than we all know? After all, a steeler defensive backup is often starting material on another team. And even if he doesn't start, Zhood's gonna get some extremely valuable game time reps I would guess that should accel his development as a steeler d lineman. And where abouts is Orpheyus Roye these days (sorry if this was prevously discussed)?[/quote:1507bj9s]

We brought in Roye on Tuesday, but signed Sonny Harris from Carolina's practice squad instead. I'd rather have a young whippersnapper like Harris for depth than an old fella like Roye anyway (since Keisel, Kirschke, and Eason are all vets with Hood being the only young buck...good to get some young blood in here). And since the 5th DE will be on the 53 man roster but likely not among the 45 guys who dress, Roye wouldn't be any help on gameday...but Harris can develop within our scheme in practices even if he is inactive on the vast majority of gamedays.